Unexpected Plans

“I’m so bored,” Nadia said, sprawled out on her bed.

“You could always do your assignments,” Claire said, looking up from her desk.

“Boooring,” Nadia complained. She then grabbed her phone and started typing. “Hey, what was the name of that place we went to last week?” she asked.

“You can’t be serious, how have you already forgotten the name?” Claire asked .

“Things vanish from my memory like a phoenix does” Nadia replied.

“Not sure if that’s a saying,” Claire said.

“Well, it is one now,” Nadia said. “What was the name though?”

“Nadia, we are not driving two hours to Dartwin again just so you can go clubbing at the Ice Climber,” Claire said.

“Not that one, the little town on the way to Dartwin.”

“Greenwall?” Claire asked.

“Yes! That one!” Nadia said. “Let's go there!”

“You don’t even know anything about it!” Claire said.

“That’s the fun part!” Nadia said. “I’ll call Miles”

---

“I can’t believe we agreed to this,” Claire said from the passenger’s seat of Miles’s car.

“It’s Nadia,” Miles said from the driver’s seat.

“What do you mean by that?” Nadnia said from the backseat.

“You know very well what I mean, Nads” Miles said.

Nadia huffed and crossed her arms.

The truth is that when Nadia got an idea, it was pointless to argue with her. Usually, her plans were spontaneous and led to crazy situations, although Miles and Claire had to admit that they often led to some of their best memories together.

Which was why they now found themselves in Miles’s car, driving to the next state over to visit a town they knew nothing about.

“For all we know, Greenwall could have absolutely nothing there,” Claire pointed out.

“It has vibes,” Nadia said confidently.

“You saw a sign on the highway.”

“A very promising sign.”

After a few minutes of silence, Nadia was getting bored and so she decided to put on some music.

The sound of a guitar filled the room before Bruno Mars’s voice was heard through the car’s speakers

Never had much faith in love or miracles (ooh)

Never wanna put my heart on the line (ooh)

But swimming in your water's something spiritual (ooh)

I'm born again every time you spend the night (ooh)

“Now this is what I call a road trip” Nadia said, dancing in the backseat.

Claire rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress a smile. Miles tapped the steering wheel in time with the music.

When the chorus arrived, Nadia pointed dramatically at Claire.

“C'mon, Claire!” she urged her cousin “'Cause you make me feel like”

I've been locked out of Heaven

Claire laughed and joined in,

“For too long, for too long”

“See?” Nadia said triumphantly when the song ended. “And you said we shouldn't do this. Look how great this is.”

“We've been in the car for twenty minutes,” Claire replied. “We’ve barely left Bridgemont”

“Even better, more time to enjoy” Nadia replied, vibing to the music.

And so the trio spent the next hour driving down the highway, singing along to songs and taking turns choosing the music.

Before they knew it, Greenwall's exit sign appeared ahead.

“Look!” Nadia said, sitting up straighter in her seat.

Miles chuckled and flicked on his turn signal.

“We're here already?”

“That's what happens when you're having fun,” Nadia said smugly.

Miles guided the car onto the off-ramp and toward the little town nestled in the mountains.

---

A few minutes later, the group was walking through the streets of the town, which was eerily empty, with no people in sight on the street.

“Where’s everyone?” Claire said, looking around.

The trio walked through the streets and turned onto the biggest street, which they correctly assumed was the main street. There, a pair of twins were walking towards them.

“Should we ask them?” Miles said.

“Hey, why are the streets empty?” Nadia asked when the twins were close enough.

“Because there’s a concert going on at the carnival area. How do you not know that?” the one on the left said.

“Because they’re not from here, Claire,” the other one said.

“Wait, you’re not from Greenwall?” the girl they learned was Claire said. “Oh my god, Kennedy, can you believe that?! That’s so cool! You definitely have to go to the concert! White Glass is performing tonight!”

“You said the concert is at the carnival area. Where is that?” Nadia asked.

The other twin, Kennedy, sighed. “Fucking tourists,” she muttered. “Follow this street until the end, and then you’ll see a big area at the end. It’s there. There should also be a lot more people over there.”

“Oohh, you could also go with us,” Claire, the twin, suggested.

Seeing the look of horror Kennedy had at that suggestion, the trio decided to decline the offer and go on their own.

When they reached the end of the street, they saw a big crowd of people, some carnival games, and a Ferris wheel in the distance, but the main attraction was the stage that was set up to the right of them.

A band was playing, and a crowd of people was enjoying the music.

The visiting trio tried getting closer to the stage and the band. Or rather, Nadia tried getting closer while the other two followed along.

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice calling them. They turned and found one of the twins with a cup in her hand, gesturing for them to come to her.

“Hi, you made it!” she said over the sound of the music. “Let me introduce you to my friends!” she said.

Not letting them reply, she called a pretty brunette over.

“Look Julie, these guys are from out of town!”

“Really? What brings you here?” Juliet asked the visiting trio.

“Well, we visited Dartwin last weekend and saw the sign to Greenwall and so we were curious and decided to check it out today.” Miles explained.

“Oh, where are you guys from?” the brunette asked.

“We’re from Bridgemont,” Claire Hartley explained.

“So the next state over?”

After getting confirmation she told them that she hoped they enjoyed their stay in Greenwall.

“Hey, what is White Glass doing playing here?” Nadia asked.

“They’re from here,” Juliet replied.

“No way!” Nadia exclaimed.

“Wait, you know the band?” Miles asked.

“Of course, we play some of their songs at parties.” Nadia said.

They spent the next couple of hours enjoying the music and the atmosphere and talking to some of the new friends they made in Greenwall.

“Hey guys” Juliet called the trio over, “meet my cousin Kenny, he’s the one I told you about.”

“Heyy Kenny” Nadia said in a sultry voice “Julie here has told us a lot of good things about you. She said you’re very kind and caring.”

“Umm, really?” Kenny said lightly blushing at the blatant flirting.

“Yes, you know, those are rare traits,” Nadia said.

“Nadia, knock it off, don’t make the kid uncomfortable,” Miles said.

“But that’s no fun, I was having fun, weren’t you too Kenny?” Nadia said with a pout.

“Umm yes” Kenny said after gulping.

“C’mon let’s dance away from these party poopers” Nadia said, grabbing Kenny’s hand and leading him away from the rest of the group.

“Let’s hope that increases his confidence” Juliet said when the duo were away from hearing distance.

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t make him more insecure,” Claire said.

“Who is Kenny dancing with? And how?” a black teen with brown eyes and a buzz cut said, appearing from the crowd.

“Oh hi JJ” Julie said “meet Claire and Miles, they’re from out of town”, then turning towards the out-of-towners “meet JJ, he’s our star hockey player.”

“No way! You play hockey too?” Miles said, his eyes lighting up.

“Yes, and you?” JJ asked.

“I do, but basketball is my main sport. Although I fell in love with hockey from the first time I played it.” Miles explained.

“Ok, let’s talk later, but who is my best friend dancing with? And how did he manage to ask her for a dance?” JJ asked again.

“That’s my cousin Nadia, Julie mentioned that Kenny is very shy and so Nadia decided she would flirt and dance with him to increase his confidence, especially with women” Claire explained.

“And where are you from?” the hockey star asked.

“We’re from Bridgemont, we study there,” Miles said.

“Oh, so not that far.” Miles said.

Then, the conversation turned towards hockey with Miles and JJ talking about the sport, strategies and their best career moments.

“Any chance you will go to Bridgemont next year?” Miles asked “We could really use someone like you.”

The younger player laughed, “I don’t think so. I think I’ll go to Bear Mountain University, let’s hope I get the scholarship.”

“At least apply to Bridgemont.” Miles said.

“Will do,” JJ replied. “Now let me present to you the rest of the team.”

---

Meanwhile, a bit to the side, Kenny couldn’t believe what was happening. He had a gorgeous out of town girl grinding into him.

“C’mon, you’re not a statue, you’re supposed to do something with your hands.” Nadia said, turning her head. “and move, for fuck’s sake, don’t just stand there.” she chastised him.

“Uhh, sorry” Kenny awkwardly said.

Nadia turned around so she was now facing Kenny. “Not your typical scene?” she asked him. After getting a nod from him, she said “don’t worry, just relax and enjoy.”

She then grabbed his hands and put them on her hips, seeing that he was tense she put her hands on his shoulders and leant in, “Relax, I won’t judge you, plus I’m just visiting, it’s not like you’ll see me often.”

Seeing that Kenny relaxed, she guided him to move his feet and sway to the rhythm of the music. After a few failed attempts, he finally got it right, and so Nadia decided to change things up a bit. She turned around so she was like she was in the beginning, and turned her head.

“C’mon” she urged him.

He grabbed her hips with his hand and brought her hips to his,

“You’re getting the hang of it” she said as she started moving her hips to the rhythm of the music, dancing to the music.

---

Claire was left alone, with Miles talking about hockey with the hockey team and Nadia dancing with Kenny, she didn’t know what to do.

“Hey,” she heard a voice from behind her.

She turned around and saw a boy with short blonde hair and blue eyes.

“I’m Brian, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure to meet you, what’s your name?” he asked.

“I’m Claire, Claire Hartley.” She responded.

“Hartley… That name sounds familiar, are you from Resin Grove perchance?” The blonde boy asked.

“Yes, how do you know?” Claire asked.

“I’m a member of the wealthiest family here, we know most of the prominent families in the area,” he explained.

“What’s your last name?” Claire asked.

“White”

“Now that you said your family, I also think I’ve heard of you” Claire said.

“We have more ties with the Ashbourne family, but the Hartleys are a prominent family in the history of the area.” He said.

“Did you come from Dartwin?” Claire asked “I know LQT Inc.’s offices are there”

Brian laughed, “No, you’re right in that my father’s company’s main offices are there, but we live here in Greenwall” he explained.

“Didn’t know the Whites were from Greenwall.”

“Well, we are. Anyways, would you want to dance?” Brian said.

“I’m not really into the whole party scene,” Claire started to deny, although she looked around and decided “although, fuck it, why not?”

Brian smiled at that and they both started dancing, Claire refused to go to the levels her cousin went and so their dance was much tamer, but they both still had fun.

“You’re gorgeous,” Brian said, leaning close to her ear.

“Thanks” Claire smiled warmly at him. “No need to sugar talk me, I won’t get in bed with you though.”

“I was just stating facts,” Brian said as he twirled the older girl.

“CLAIRE!” she heard. She didn't need to turn around to recognise the voice of her cousin. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are dancing!” Nadia added, “Who are you and what did you do to my cousin?” she asked, turning towards Brian.

“I’m Brian” he said.

“I can’t believe you’ve managed to get my cousin to dance” Nadia said, “she’s so stuck up”

“I AM NOT!” Claire said. “I just want to pass my exams”.

“Details,” Nadia brushed it off. “Do you want my cousin's number?” she asked Brian.

“Sure,” Brian said.

“NO!” Claire said, then turning towards Brian she said, “it’s not you, it’s just—”

“Don’t worry, I get it. I’ll just have it in case I visit Resin Grove, maybe I can see another perspective, not just Julian’s” he said.

“Traitor,” Claire muttered as Nadia happily gave Brian her number.

Nadia just grinned. “You're welcome.”

---

Author’s note: Greenwall is a separate story by JohnLocke4 that’s part of what we call the Spectrumverse. I've gotten permision to use it in my story

You can read it here: https://chyoa.com/chapter/Introduction.1100832